from hard-hit states are among those scheduled to test final the governors of new jersey, new york and connecticut are teaming up to request almost $83 billion in federal help. >>> also on capitol hill, the senate has just passed its version of a defense bill. it's a $631 billion measure. it calls for a quicker withdrawal of u.s. troops from afghanistan and tougher sanctions on iran. it would also give military personnel a 1.7% raise. that vote was 98-0. unanimous. the senate and house must work out a compromise. >>> now we turn to egypt where tv stations are expected to go dark today in protest over the president's recent power grab. tensions are still simmering as thousands of demonstrators have taken their anger back to tahrir square. abc's alex marquardt reports. >> reporter: they came by the tens of thousands, hurling stones, pulling down barricades, riot police fired volumes of tear gas and retreated. as the masses grew, president mohammed morsi left the palace. ever since the revolution that captivated the world, egypt has struggled on the road to democracy. two weeks ago president morsi ga